Spring shackle



July 25, 1933.

.1. R. CHAMBERLAIN 1,920,000

SPRING SHACKLE Filed Dec. 4, 1950 dag.

6'84 BY INVITINTOR W W ATTORNEY 5,

Patented July 25, 1933 frrss estrus lens JAMES ROBINSOIl CHAMBERLAIN, OF NEV BRITAIN, CQNNE CTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE FAFNIR BEARING ool rrnnv, on NEW BRITAIN,

CONNECTICUT CONNECTICUT, A CORPQRATION OE sranve snsoKLn Application filed December 4,1930. Serial No. 499,934.

' This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in vehicle spring shackles and particularly to a shackle designed to carry anti-friction bearing elements.

Among the objects of the invention are, to provide a construction that may be economically and rapidly produced, quickly and easily assembled, and which, when assembled, is exceedingly rigid.

Other objects will appear to the mechanic skilled in this art from a reading of the fol: lowing specification and an examination oi the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a front elevation of the complete shackle and bearing pins therefor with cer tain parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the shackle shown in Fig. 1, also partly broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of part of a shackle showing a modification;

Fig. l is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig.

Briefly stated, in a preferred form of the invention, I employ shackle links having raceways for anti-friction bearing members at spaced points thereon. The parts to be shackled together, for example, the spring and frame oi amotor vehicle, carry bearing means having raceways complementary to those oi the shackle links. Anti-friction bearing members are interposed between complementary raceways. A spaced member for the links is interposed between the links, and the link and spacer have interlitting tapered parts so that when the links are drawn together the tapered parts bind tightly and hold the links rigidly to each other.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 9., 11' represent two shackle links, and since both links may correspond, a description of one will be sufiioient. Each link has on its in ner side and substantially midway between its ends a tapered recess 2 designed to tightly receive the tapered end of a tubular spacer 3. 4; is a bolt which passes through both links and throughthe spacer 3 so as to draw ofthe pins S8.

the links towards each other and into tight jamming engagement with said spacer whereby said links will be rigidly held not only in spaced relation but against independent turning or twisting movement. At each end of each link is ananti-friction bearing raceway, which, in the form shown, is formed separately and includes a cup 5, the outside of which may be screw take into a threaded passage in the link. By turning the cup, the bearing element may be moved to and 130 for adjustment purposes. Each end of each shackle link may be split at the side of each recess in which the bearing elements are mounted, and lugs 6(l may be provided to receive a clamping screw 7, which, when the bearing element adjacent thereto has been properly adjusted, may be set up so as toclamp the bearing element firmly in its adjusted position.

'lVhile the passages through each link for the through bolt lmay be made small so as to not unduly weaken said link, the-shallow tapered cavity for the spacer sleeve 3 may be very much larger, whereby a spacer sleeve of much greater diameter than thebolt may be employed as shown so that very reat resistance to twisting strain is provided, thus guaranteeing that thelinks will be held in proper alignment even when subjected to the hardest usage.

88 indicate bearing members such as pins, the ends of which may be properly shaped to form ball races. 9-9 are balls within the cup 5, the interior of which may be provided with a ball race, integral or otherwise, in which the balls 99 rest so that when the parts are all assembled, the shackle links will turn freely on the ends 10 is a suitable seal at the inner end of each bearing cup and surrounding the adjacent part of the pin eX- tending into said bearing element to exclude dust and dirt and retain lubricant.

To assemble the parts thus far described, it will be apparent first that the pinsv 8-S are forced into the parts (not shown) to be connected by the shackle, each end of each pin projecting from said parts so as to be engageable by the links. The two links threaded to V 1 l are then applied over the ends ofthe pins 88 and over the ends of the spacer 3. The through bolt l is then applied and drawn up so as to force the links tightly onto the ends of said spacer. Finallyfthe Vbearing elements at each end of eachlink are properly adjusted, andeac h clamping screw '7 is then tightened up.

' in their adjusted positions.

the ends of the links are not position, and 8F 'of-the pins. I

In Fig. 3 I have shown amodifi cation of the means for holding the'bearing elements 7 split,' but, instead, I provide a clamping bearing device "adjacent thereto. .Views, 1" represents one end 'of=one ofthe links; 5 represents the'cup portion-ofan anti-friction bearing adjustable vin hthe end 7 of the link. 7

represents the clamping screw to hold'said'elemen initsadjusted represents I one end i of one desired, the spacing element may be ofvery'substantial,diameter and hence take abroad firm bearing atjeach-endin the opposite links so as to hold thesain'e properly In this "form,

screw whichv pierces the edge of each link so that the, inner end of the screw will engage theouter' Wall of the cup portion of theanti-friction In thesespaced and against independent movement.

Inasmuch as the spacer is hollow, the

- weight of the same is greatly reduced as compared with a solid spacer of corresponding diameter. 7 a

While specifici forms of the invention have been illustrated, itis to be understood that various changes, modifications, addi tions,,and omissions maybe made without able to a'nd'fro relatively to the other, a bolt passage through said links substantially midway inthe length of'each, a bolt there-r for, a spacer sleeve of greater internal diameter than the external diameter of said bolt, the ends of sald slee've being tapered,

l ja relativiely shallow recess in the inner wall .ofje'ach ofsaid links having a tapered wall substantially concentric with said bolt passage forreceiving the adjacent end of the spacer sleeve,"

V. JAMES RoBlNsoN CHAMBERLAIN. 

